Port Macquarie is rocked after teenage girl is dragged onto sand dunes and raped by a stranger – as major manhunt is launched
Port Macquarie is turned upside down after a teenage girl is dragged up the sand dunes and raped by a stranger – as a massive manhunt is launched
- Girl, 18, attacked on way to Matildas game
- Police are calling on residents to come forward
A teenage girl was dragged into the sand dunes and raped by a stranger last week when she was on her way to watch the Matildas. She left a quiet beach town in shock.
The 18-year-old girl was walking towards the semi-final against England at around 8.30pm on Wednesday at Port Macquarie on the north coast of NSW as the horror incident unfolded.
She was approached by a man, believed to be in his thirties and of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean appearance, as she was walking down Stewart Street, which runs along Town Beach.
He dragged her up the sand dunes where he carried out the sexual assault before fleeing on a bicycle, the Daily telegram.
NSW Police Detective Inspector Peter O’Reilly said locals rushed the woman at the time who promptly called triple-0.
The 18-year-old girl was heading into Wednesday’s semi-final against England in Port Macquarie on the north coast of NSW as the horror incident unfolded (pictured)
“The woman was on her way to meet some friends in the area when she was approached by the man,” said Det Insp O’Reilly.
“I won’t go into the details of the crime, but what I can say is that the woman was approached by the man and forced into the sand dunes.
“We are suggesting at this point that it was an unprovoked attack by the man.
Det Insp O’Reilly encouraged locals in the coastal community with phone video, dashcam or CCTV to come forward.
“We’re aware that there were a lot of people around for that live broadcast (of the World Cup) at the time, so we’d like to think there are people in the community who might have information – it could be phone footage.” it might be dashcam footage, but it would really help our investigators,” he said.
Det Insp O’Reilly would not say whether police thought the man was a local.
He is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, in his early thirties, approximately 5’7″ to 5’7″ tall, with a dark complexion, short black hair and a long beard reaching down to his chest.
He was last seen wearing a black sweater and jeans and believed to be riding a balance bike.
“All avenues of investigation are open to us and we have done a lot of work since this incident was reported to the police,” he said.
‘We have worked with many members of the community and we have visited many areas around Port Macquarie.
“This is a horrific incident, so she (the victim) has been very well supported by family and friends, and community services.”
Det Insp O’Reilly said police had increased their patrols along the streets near the beach since the attack.